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dba80
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Homework Statement
A m = 0.500 kg block is started at velocity vo and slides along a rough table (μk = 0.300) for 1 m before flying horizontally off the end of the table.(Figure 1) The surface of the table is 1.2 m up in the air, and the block hits the ground 3.1 meters away from the base of the table.
What is the velocity with which the block leaves the table?
What is the acceleration of the block (assume the +x direction is positive) while it is sliding along the table?
What was the initial velocity v0 of the block?
I feel like I should also explain that the real problem is that I just don't get anything we've talked about in class. I've been out of school for over a decade, and I've never had any physics before. I'm completely overwhelmed and I'm getting frustrated because I know my problem is comprehending what information I have to work with. For example, I look at this problem and wonder how I'm supposed to use a kinematic equation when all the variables I have apply to mass?!
Homework Equations
I have no clue. I know I don't have initial or final velocity, or time. I do have the acceleration of gravity (9.81m/s^2), and a distance of 1m before the block leaves the table. So maybe, if I can consider initial velocity 0:
v^2=V_0^2+2a(x-x_0)
so V^2=19.6m/s
v=4.43m/s
The Attempt at a Solution
The above equation would be:
so V^2=19.6m/s
v=4.43m/s
Which I tried, and is wrong. I don't want this solved or anything I really just want to know how I'm looking at the variables wrong. This is probably a good question to ask that about since that's my problem with every question, and this one seems like I'm starting with no variables other than gravity. Any other tips on beginning to understand physics would be appreciated too.